Projects Show me your B17 air/fuel tanks

So I finally picked up a B17 bomber air tank I want to use for a fuel tank on my Model A coupe. Anyone else doing this? Post a picture of how you did it.

 

I'm looking for one. The Cornfield LSR utilized one, it's pretty slick.

 

I have one in my 34 ford.

 

I just had a guy ask me “ WTH ,is it ?” He doesn’t know what it is , but it’s not for sale .

 

I have one for an air tank, but some dumb ass, we won't mention any names here, backed into it with the bobcat and put a dent in it. Doh !

 

Nice, I knew folks must be doing it but I've never seen one. If I figured right it should hold just over ten gallons, enough for cruisinge around.

 

They are made of stainless steel, very easy to weld to.

 

Stainless steel?

 

These were beverage tanks that were repurposed as oxygen tanks for the airplanes in WWII. Yes they are stainless. I see one or two at every swapmeet.

 

Really? The US Govt cheaped out on oxygen tanks in their aircraft?

 

Not sure if it’s a B17 or not but this was my grandfather’s and has been passed down to me. My Uncle was in the military and flew planes so I imagine that is where it came from?!? It makes a heck of an air tank to fill up tires!!!

 

No the govt probably paid premium price the seller cheaped out. Out there someplace there was someone sitting behind a desk with a jar of knob polish saying, "Hrrrrrmmmmmmmm the fed needs an air tank. Hrrrmmmmmmmmmmmmm."

I actually saw one on Fb market place about a month ago. The guy said he inherited some stuff from his grandpa. LOL

 

I have one that was converted to a gas tank at one time with a Studebaker fuel cap. Pretty sweet.

 

I have several but as part of an off topic collection.

 

I have a stainless steel one also .

 

With respect to the OP, he's looking for installed tanks. Never did anything with this one. We all like pictures, however.

 

I knew I had one somewhere, just had to dig it out! Guy gave it to me cuz he didn’t know what it was…..

 

Due to the low capacity, if you intend on street driving Id suggest something else. Nothing sucks worse than being on a road trip filling up ever 40 miles....

 

Hot Rods - Using a WWII oxygen as fuel tank | The H.A.M.B. (jalopyjournal.com)

 

I have a few of them and one that was made into a air compressor back in the 1950s by a company.

 

If I did the math right it should take about 11 gallons, isn't that about what a stock model A tank holds? Still yes your right it won't get me too far.

 

This is what I used for a '36 truck. Since capacity is an issue had 2 units cut and welded together.

Cut it right where the round part of the tank starts and was careful to continue all the the ribs.
Only sandblasted one half as the other half had al the markings and stampings from when it was built and during service.



This is what they look like inside

I added a baffle on each side to keep splashing down. Fuel bung for line was added to the bottom of the tank.


I wanted to keep the tank as "stock" looking as possible so I used a motorcycle pop up fuel cap. I think a vented cap was used.



I wanted to make it easy to read the fuel level and not carry the typical wooden stick so I sourced a stationery liquid tank gauge. I think this was 10"-12" tall....



Mounted to the bed using a based similar to that on the b-17/b-24


Had spray can made to match the yellow and painted the blasted half to match the other.


You can see it on the back of the bed. Used metal straps bolted to the bases that were cover edwith WWII parachute straps so the metal won't show...Picture taken before it was sold/shipped.

 

You don't need to know what something is to like it.

 

Dices , very nice work it looks great . semi trucks run a manifold that draws fuel equally from each tank . As long as it sits on a centered position between the tanks and the fuel lines are close in length it works very well . I put one on my 66 KW . One tank is smaller than the other and I was concerned that it would get drawn down before the larger tank . It doesn’t both tanks seen to draw down the same . One manifold is for return fuel

 

I'm running twin oxygen tanks in my roadster. I still haven't finished running all the lines, but here's how it's looking so far. They are like exactly 8 gallons each if you add up the cubic inches and convert it into gallons... Also, I remade stencil of the markings on the tank in photoshop and had a lady who makes custom coffee mugs made me a stencil. If anyone wants the file, pm me

 

That came out amazing man!

 

These Oxygen tanks were in B17, B29, B50, C97,and maybe C124's. The oxygen was good for curing hangovers.

 

Actually, since I'm here at my computer now. Here is the stencil file I made if anyone wants it. Royalty free!

 

Thanks, @OLLIN! ...A breath of fresh air... Royalty free, yet!

 

I have one if you’re still interested